Cousins have been charged with separate counts of sexual misconduct with an animal from alleged incidents on separate farms.

Amity-based State Police charged Mahlon D. Miller, 22, of Centerville, at 8:30 a.m. Saturday with misdemeanor sexual misconduct with an animal or deceased human body after an incident reported at 3:35 p.m. Friday.

Amos E. Girod, 23, of Centerville, was charged with the same thing Friday night.

Troopers said the incident was allegedly with a horse and took place on their respective family farms.

A tip from the Hornell Humane Society led to a charges against the two.

An SPCA official said they called the troopers after discussing the case, as, “We can't go interview the animals and ask them. We've been talking about this case all week. We don’t know what to do. So we’re bringing in a horse specialist from the ASPCA.”

Troopers said the complaint against Miller allegedly took place two months ago on his father’s farm in Centerville.

The investigation is continuing, as the men were issued tickets for Centerville Town Court on June 30 at 7:30 p.m. Because they are Amish, the newspaper could not reach them for comment.

SPCA?officials say there are several horses at each farm and they are consulting to see if the horses should be taken away and if so, which ones.

“Once the charge went from cruelty to sex with an animal, it went to the troopers,” said an SPCA volunteer who wished not to be named. “This is why we are consulting with experts. I’ve never seen a case like this.”